Bellerophon, the grandson of Sisyphus, one of the Greek world’s worst criminals, dreamt of becoming a hero, of being equal to the Gods. But his plans got off to a bad start with the accidental murder of his brother. Forced into exile, he took refuge in Tyrins. …
Category: Ancient Greece Mythology
Great Greek Myths 13 – Psyche: Beauty and the Beast
In this myth, many versions of which have been passed down through the ages, Psyche is the Beauty. Concerned that his daughter did not have a suitor, Psyche’s father consulted Pythia, who announced grave news: Psyche’s father must leave her on a hilltop, from where a monster would come take her away. …
Great Greek Myths 12 – Hermes: Impenetrable Messenger
Hermes was the youngest of the Gods of Olympus. Right from birth, he was an insolent, thieving, trickster God. While still a baby, he escaped from the cave in which his mother Maia gave birth to him, and stole Apollo’s herd. ….
Great Greek Myths 11 – Aphrodite: Dictated by Desire
Kronos revolted against his father Uranus. He severed his father’s genitals, and threw them into the sea, where they mingled with the foam and gave birth to Aphrodite. Aphrodite was born from this highly unusual union. She inspired romantic love and physical attraction in equal measure. ….
Great Greek Myths 09 – Dedalus and Icarus
Dedalus, a prominent Greek inventor, settled in Crete among King Minos’ court. Queen Pasiphaë, who had an all-consuming passion for a white bull, called upon his services. Dedalus found a way to allow Pasiphaë to mate with the bull, and Minos locked Daedalus and his son, Icarus, away for their betrayal. Dedalus found a way…
Great Greek Myths 07 – Apollo: Shadow and Light
Although they were the son and daughter of Zeus, Apollo and his twin sister Artemis were born under threats from the goddess Hera. Zeus’ wife Hera never forgave the twins’ mother – the nymph Leto – for her union with the King of Mount Olympus, and she forced Leto into exile. God of the Sun,…
Great Greek Myths 06 – Prometheus: The Rebel of Olympus
Taking revenge against Prometheus, Zeus created the first woman – the beautiful Pandora. He gave her a manipulative and deceptive character, and subjected Prometheus to terrible torture. But although Zeus and Prometheus both shared a shrewd and cunning nature, they clashed fiercely. Prometheus wanted to be of help to mankind, and managed to convince Zeus…
Great Greek Myths 05 – Theseus: The Ravages of Oversight
Theseus was the fruit of dual paternity: Aegeus King of Athens slept with Aethra when she had just been raped by Poseidon, God of the Sea. Theseus, who grew into a strong, brave young man, therefore had a double lineage – both divine and royal. But Theseus’ great courage did not stop him from neglecting…
Great Greek Myths 03 – Hades, A Reluctant King
Having become organiser of the world, Zeus entrusted the world of the sea to his brother Poseidon, and the underworld, or the kingdom of the dead, to Hades. Alone, in a place he had not chosen himself, Hades reigned over the people of the shadows and over the grimacing creatures that surrounded him. A terrifying…
Great Greek Myths 02 – Zeus in Love
His first wife was Metis. His second, who was known as his wife on Olympus, was the jealous Hera. But there was also Themis, the goddess of Justice, with whom he produced the Hours, the Fates and the Mnemosyne – meaning “memory” – who gave birth to nine Muses. In order to achieve his aims,…